Page 7 of Three Bossy Boyfriends (Honeysuckle Harbor #3)

Christopher

Watching Evan and Finley across the ballroom at the charity fundraiser for the historical society a week later, I feel a very strange mix of emotions.

One is easy to identify. Desire. They both look absolutely amazing. Evan is in a dark blue suit that fits impeccably. He is freshly shaven, his hair is perfectly styled, and his tie is one of my favorites. But what I like best is the smile on his face.

He is never this relaxed at these types of events.

He’s always aware that he is trying to make a good impression and that he’s representing the firm.

He constantly feels like everyone is judging him.

Probably because they are. I have to admit that I find it adorable that he doesn’t realize how charming he really is.

But tonight his smile is much more relaxed and genuine than usual, and I know exactly why. The gorgeous brunette on his arm.

I will be the first to admit that I was nervous about Finley being his date.

She’s a wild card. There’s no other way to describe her.

I never know what is going to come out of her mouth, except to know that it will always be unfiltered. She loves to tease Evan and loves to poke at Tucker. She’s also very sarcastic around Mary Grace, but interestingly, it seems that Mary Grace doesn’t quite pick up on it.

I’m the only one she is completely straightforward with—not that she’s not honest with Evan, but with me, there’s not the teasing edge to the things she says. She always meets my gaze directly and always tells me exactly what she’s thinking.

I like that a lot.

And tonight she has been absolutely perfect.

She is dressed in a nude-colored sheath dress that is mouthwateringly sexy—while also being completely appropriate for this sophisticated evening crowd. She’s in matching nude slingbacks with beaded embellishments, and her hair is up in an elegant twist.

I am certain she is hating every single step she takes and cursing every single bobby pin, though.

In the office, she is barefoot more often than not, except for the times when she’s wearing the slippers she keeps under her desk. They are Jack Skellington from the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas . Yes, she had to explain them to me.

I haven’t seen the movie. She has now vowed that I will before the end of the year.

I haven’t told her I’m looking forward to that.

I’ve been involved in a couple of brief conversations that Evan and Finley have been taking part in as well tonight, but at the moment I am across the room, nodding my head, smiling, and saying the appropriate number of “uh-huhs” to Jeffrey O’Donnell.

I’ve known Jeffrey for a very long time, and he is one of my best clients.

One of my favorite things about Jeffrey is that he can hold an entire conversation completely on his own. Which allows me to watch Evan and Finley.

They’re talking to one of the city council members, and I’m certain Evan is sweating a bit.

Curtis Blackwell is exactly the kind of guy that Evan wants to impress and who will be a long-time, well-paying client if Evan can convince him to bring his business over to us.

So of course Evan is in his head and is probably about to say something awkward.

But just as Curtis says something and chuckles, I notice Finley’s hand drifting down Evans back to his ass. She gives him a squeeze.

He startles slightly, but then grins as he looks down at her. An honest to God, happy grin. And his shoulders relax.

I smile as I lift my scotch tumbler to my lips. Damn, the girl is good.

Then I’m delighted to see Evan slip his arm around her waist, rest his hand on her hip for a moment before sliding it lower and giving her an ass squeeze in return.

God, I love watching them together.

At the same time, I am definitely jealous.

Finley seems to be just what Evan needs.

She’s closer to his age, and he laughs at the cultural references she makes that I don’t understand and they’ve been playing some online game together that caused Evan’s phone to ding in the middle of a client meeting yesterday, his cheeks to blush, and him to quickly pocket the phone and clear his throat.

I guess I assumed it was the digital game they were playing. Maybe she sent him a dirty text.

Finley would totally do that in the middle of a client meeting.

Finally, Jeffrey takes a breath, and I say, “It’s been so lovely talking with you. I see someone across the room that I need to say hello to. Please give Nancy my best.”

Jeffrey nods. “I definitely will. It was nice catching up.”

I make my way toward Finley and Evan just in time. Mary Grace spots them talking with Curtis, and I arrive at their side at the same time she does.

This is the real test.

This isn’t their first date, but it’s definitely the first time they’ve been in public officially as a couple.

“Evan, Finley, are you here together?” Mary Grace asks, jumping right to the topic.

Evan pulls Finley a little closer.

It’s a nice show of his relationship with her, but I’m not so sure he’s not using her as a security blanket at this point.

“We are,” he says in the practiced puzzled way he rehearsed. “Why do you ask?”

Mary Grace looks from them to me. “I wasn’t aware that you had a romantic relationship with Finley.”

“How could you not know that?” I ask her.

Have we decided to completely gaslight Mary Grace about this? Yes, we have.

Evan looks at Finley. “Yes, Mary Grace, I’m shocked that you’ve missed that information. I’ve never made it a secret.”

She looks annoyed as she says, “You’ve never told me.”

“Has it ever come up? Why would he go out of his way to tell you?” I ask.

She looks from me to Evan and then to Finley. “You didn’t mention that you were dating one of our associates when we spoke with you about the paralegal position.”

Finley lifts her drink to her lips, sips, swallows, then says, “I assumed you already knew. My father was a partner in the firm for so many years. Everyone knew him so well, and all I ever heard was how much he talked about his kids. I can’t believe he didn’t mention it.

Or maybe you’re the only one who doesn’t know. ”

I cough lightly. I have no doubt Finley finds Mary Grace irritating as hell.

I find Mary Grace irritating as hell, and I’m a partner, so I don’t have to listen to her at all.

She’s been bossing Finley around since day one.

And the more I get to know Finley, the more I understand that bossing her around is probably only fun if there’s lingerie involved.

On Finley. Not Mary Grace.

I frown. None of that should be going through my mind right now. Or probably ever.

“Does my father know?” Mary Grace asks.

“I have no idea what your father knows and doesn’t know,” Finley says before Evan can answer. “I’ve never had a conversation with him about it. Have you?” she asks Evan.

“Again, I don’t think it’s ever come up. When we’re at work, we’re talking about work,” Evan says, making the point clearly. “We don’t talk about his wife, your mother, either. For what that’s worth.”

“If I had known that, I don’t think I would’ve hired you,” Mary Grace says.

That was not entirely Mary Grace’s decision.

Finley visibly bristles. “I think my father might’ve had something to say about that.”

I don’t know why, but that amuses me. Finley does not strike me as the type to use her father’s name to get ahead or to even approve of nepotism, now that I think about it. But she’s also not the type to let a woman like Mary Grace talk down to her.

“Does your father know that you’re dating one of the associates?” Mary Grace asks.

“Of course. Why would I not tell my father about my boyfriend?” Finley tips her head as if truly puzzled. “I mean, maybe you don’t tell your father about your boyfriends.” She looks from Mary Grace to where Charles is standing a few feet away.

I settle back on my heels. Finley doesn’t need me to defend her right now. I wonder if she ever needs anyone to come to her defense. I also wonder if she ever gives anyone the opportunity to come to her defense.

“I don’t…” Mary Grace stops and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, then clears her throat. “I’m not currently dating anyone.”

“Huh,” Finley says as if this does not surprise her. “Well, I hope when you do, it’s someone that you want your father to get to know.” She gives Evan an adoring smile, and if I didn’t know this was all a ruse, I would completely buy that she’s head over heels for him.

Damn, the girl’s good. I may have to remember that she is an expert liar.

“I certainly hope everything continues to go well,” Mary Grace says. “It could make things very awkward in the office if the two of you have any tension, or, heaven forbid, break up.”

Finley gives her a smile. “Oh, I’m not letting Evan get away.”

Mary Grace looks at Evan. “I hope there’s not a time when you want to get away then.”

She’s such a bitch.

Evan, normally completely out of his element in social situations like this, gives Mary Grace a confident, calm smile. “I’d marry her tomorrow if she’d say yes. I have no intention of going anywhere.”

Mary Grace’s brows rise. “Just be sure that you keep your personal lives outside of the office.”

Finley laughs. “Now that’s impossible, isn’t it? When you are completely involved with someone, madly in love, that touches every part of your life. I’m afraid that it’s impossible for me to even look at Evan without thinking…very personal things.”

Again she smiles at Evan, and this time it’s with unmistakable heat that is surprisingly realistic.

“But if you’re worried about the office furniture,” she says, focusing on Mary Grace again.

“Don’t be. I’m not saying there hasn’t been a time or two with a…

let’s just say hard, sharp surface or two…

” She laughs lightly. “... I much prefer comfort and luxury. What’s the point of dating a man if he can’t give me a king-size mattress and Egyptian cotton, am I right? ”